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COPYRlGfp". 1917 
n FLeSiOA DRAKE GERMAJNB 



Some 
Verses anb Songs 




PRINTED NINETEEN-SEVENTEEN 







DEC 17T9i7 



©CI.A479598 



Cove's Request 

If you have love to offer me, 

Don't wait until Fm dead ; 
What care I for roses 

On the marble at my head? 
Have you a kiss of kindness? 

Give it to me now ; 
Don't wait 'till you can press it 

On a calm and icy brow. 

For I'll not see the roses, 

Nor feel the kiss of love 
When my soul shall stand alone 

At the Judgment Seat above ; 
And all my dreams of joy or bliss, 

That are of Earth a part, 
Shall sleep forever and for aye. 

Nor wake to human heart. 

And I'll not stir for kiss nor tear 

That calls my soul to wait, 
Nor cry for human sympathy 

When I stand at Heaven's Gate. 
Then give the love and blossom 

While on this earth we plod. 
For in the shadow of the tomb 

We need no one — but God. 



Ol)e Angelas 

The evening hour is sounding, 

The bells ring out on high ; 
Look on me God of Heaven, 

And hear my lonely sigh, 
For I have had so hard a life — 

Fm fainting while I pray ; 
Send me Lord, a blessing. 

That shall take it all away. 

I say again the Angelus, 

That prayer so dear to me; 
^'The word made flesh'' I murmur. 

Upon my bended knee. 
In the stillness of the hour. 

My soul bows down with fear ; 
Oh, bless me, God of mercy. 

Let me feel that Thou art near. 

The setting sun behind the church. 

Reflects its cross of gold ; 
My heart that once was young and free. 

Now seems so sad and old. 
The years of striving wasted, 

I mourn aloud their loss, 
And kneel and cry for mercy. 

In the shadow of the cross. 



016 Mlamm^ 

A SONG 

Without my Mammy's guidance, 

I never could have strayed 
With the brownies and the fairies 
In the woodland's leafly shade, 
Nor could I've met old Brer Fox, 
And Brer Rabbit, too ; 
And Mr. Owl, who shets one eye 
And looks you frue and frue. 

CHORUS 
I love my dear old Mammy 

Just the same as I do Ma, 
Her heart is pure as sunshine 

Though her face is black as tar ; 
She's faithful to her children. 

Be they near or far. 
Oh, I love my dear old Mammy 

Just the same as I do Ma. 

When childhood's joys and years have flown 

And grief and sorrow come. 
How sweet to wander back again 

To that old Southern home, 
And see the welcome in her face. 

And hear her softly say : 
'^Jest come heah to yo' Mammy, chile," 

And cry it all away. 



^ Summer £ve in (Tamp 

The shades of eve are falling 

The Whip-poor-wills are calling 
The busy squirrels scurry through the wood 

And the "Lumber Jack" of brawn 
Who went forth so blythe at dawn 

Now smokes his pipe in meditative mood 

The clear stream ripples by 

Arid the tired horses sigh 
As tranquilly they eat their feed and rest 

While the old hens softly scold 
At some feathered youngster bold 

Who crowds them from the perch they like the best 

The day is spent and done 

The stars come one by one 
To peep at us with blinking eyes so bright 

And the Tamarack and Pine 
Stand like sentinels in line 

To guard the camp throughout the peaceful night 

From the cook camp comes the sound 

Of the ''Cookee" moving round 
At he sets the table ready for the morn 

And we hear the gentle clatter 
As the cook is mixing batter 

For the griddle cakes to serve at early dawn 



At Owiligljt 



There's a prayer for Ned and Louis 

And a prayer for Jess' and Viv', 
And there always will be, darlings, 

While your mother's heart shall live ; 
Though the miles may lie between us 

And the years may come and go, 
They can never dim our yearning 

Or within our hearts love's glow. 

And I feel within my bosom 

That the time will surely come. 
When we all will be together 

In the place we call our home ; 
And the miles and years that part us 

All forgotten then will be, 
And you'll come again as children 

And sing songs at Mama's knee. 

And when that time shall come to us 

And I am there with you, 
I'll know that God has blessed me 

And all my dreams are true ; 
I'll think then of my babies 

Now to manhood grown so tall. 
And the gloaming of my lifetime 

Will be sweetened after all. 



A!^it of ^6vlce 

If your friends neglect you^ 

Seek another way ; 
If their hearts reject you^ 

Do not talk but pray. 
Look unto the future. 

And forget the past ; 
Talking will not bring back love, 

Patched friendship will not last. 



Our Uferoes 

Our Country calls her men to arms 

To rally Vound the Flag, 
My boy has donned the uniform 

And I would not have him lag. 

His boyhood days are over now, 

As a man he'll do his part. 
Oh, I would not own a slacker 

But — God knows a mother's heart. 

He may not become a General, 
As the Army list will show; 

Yet still our boys are heroes all, 
Every one that wants to go. 

Then dry your tears, you mothers true 
And send them off with a smile. 

He fights for his home and country, 
He's a hero — is your child. 

If in his manhood he returns, 
When the struggle it is done, 

And the Nation counts her heroes, 
You'll be proud to say he's one. 

And if to weep be your portion 
Beside the grave of that son. 

While our Flag floats o'er her heroes 
How proudly you'll say, he was one. 



St. 3o5ef l)'5 IKome 

Have you seen this house of brothers, 

With the Ivy on the wall ; 
And St. Joseph standing o'er it, 

To hear each helpless call ? 
Have you watched these busy workers, 

Going in and out like bees ; 
Or seen them in the chapel, 

Praying on their bended knees? 
Have you heard their glad shouts ringing, 

As in play they gaily roam? 
If you have, you'll surely murmur 

God bless St. Joseph's Home. 

Have you seen the weak and sickly. 

Grow strong and healthy there; 
The sad-eyed, timid, shrinking ones, 

Grow manly in its care? 
Have you watched this band of brothers, 

With hearts so staunch and true; 
Each striving with his given task, 

The best that he can do ; 
Or singing hymns so sweetly. 

As they gather in the gloam ? 
If you have your heart must echo 

God bless St. Joseph's Home. 



^au6 



Happy-go^ucky, jolly and plucky. 

True to a friend in sunshine or snow ; 

Thinks not of sorrow, nor lives for the morrow, 
God guard our Maudie and keep her from woe. 



:Htrlfeartan63 



A SONG 

In the warm mellow light of a bright Summer's night 

Afar in my old Southern home ; 
I stood in a bower in that sweet, mystic hour 

And my love came to me in the gloam. 
When I tossed him a flower, he laughingly cried : 

'^Taps of affection go where the heart lies/' 
I looked in his face and saw there the light 

Of his love as he kissed me that night. 

CHORUS 
Now we dream and we sigh, my poor heart and I — 

We grieve, though the face wears a smile. 
WeVe loved and we've lost and we live in the past 

My lone heart, my poor heart and I. 

Now I wander alone, 'neath the pale silv'ry moon 

And dream o'er a vision of years ; 
My love, as of yore, comes to meet me once more. 

As I gaze thro' the mist of my tears. 
Tho' by fate we're apart, you live in my heart. 

Your dear face again , I know I shall see ; 
When the years they have passed, I shall meet you at last 

In eternity, waiting for me. 



Vivi 



ivian 

Vivian — girl, woman and child, 

Contented and faithful, gentle and mild. 

With a heart that is tender. 

And head that is wise — 

Told by the look in her steady blue eyes ; 

And the poise of the head 

And the tilt of the chin, 

Gives proof of the firmness and justice within. 



(rioverlan6 

The Soo Marie Peninsula, 

Way up in Michigan, 
Is not the land of flowers, 

But ^tis the farmers^ land ; 
Where God has given to him 

A wealth of virgin soil, 
And peace and plenty comes to those 

Who seek by honest toil. 

There isn't much variety, 

Just forests, grand and old, 
Where aged chieftains sleep their last, 

And pioneers so bold ; 
And fields of waving clover, 

And fields of waving grain, 
'Tis just the same as 'twas last year, 

'Twill be the same again. 

The Summer's spent in raising barns, 

To shelter tons of hay. 
The Winter's spent in felling trees, 

To load and ship away ; 
And though thus always busy, 

Their spirits never sink. 
For looking at his bank-book cheers 

The man who doesn't drink. 

Summer days are warm and clear, 

Nights are cool and bright, 
When Southern birds are singing yet. 

Ours have taken flight ; 
Except the little snowbird, 

With wings of azure blue, 
Who comes to us when frosts are white 

And stays the season through. 



Winters here are cold and long, 

Snow lays all the time, 
Yet gazing on a world so white, 

It seems a thing sublime; 
And breathing in the pure, sweet air, 

So good for man or beast, 
You feel you'd rather die out here 

Than go and live back East. 

Now, if your health is failing, 

Your spirits getting low, 
You find you're always ailing. 

And you don't know where to go ; 
You're sick of city's crowded street, 

Or stretch of sea^ washed sand. 
Just check your trunk for Soo Marie 

And come to ** Cloverland." 



Xa ^ttort 



Remember me, my friends on earth, 

Nor in the worry of your care, 
Foi-get to kneel at eventide. 

And say for me one prayer. 

On, in the twilight, think of me, 
I loved the light before the gloom. 

But now it all has changed into 
The darkness of the tomb. 

Lord, let me sleep within thy care. 

Who knew my strength and weakness all, 

A soul immortal cries to Thee, 
Who guides a sparrow's fall. 



MIy iDream 

(written in camp) 

Near the clear, cool stream in the wildwood, 
Where the stars seem far between, 

And the moon like a break in the heavens, 
Through the trees is dimly seen. 

I ponder o^er scenes sweet and bitter. 

Live again hours that are past, 
Though the roses of joy quickly wither, 

Thorns of the sorrows will last. 

The mother heart in me is lonely. 

For babes I held to my breast, 
Some far away, now are seeking a home. 

Some ^neath the sod are at rest. 

I hear the soft sounds of the forest. 

In its vastness there^s a charm, 
That in spite of the past or the future. 

Brings to my spirit a calm. 

And I thank Him for joys He sent me. 
Thank Him for strength in my pain, 

For the children that still live to cheer me. 
Those that were taken again. 

I build me a dream of the future. 

Picture a home on the farm, 
With my loved ones all gathered around me. 

Safe from the world and its harm. 

There will be Louis, dear helpful son, 

And Ned, so tender and true, 
Vivian, my daughter, to me a Godsend, 

Jesse, my comforter, too. 



1 



1 



We'll sing the old songs, loved in my youth, 
We will sing songs that are new, 

We'll gather about a circle of friends, 
We'll have but the good and the true. 

There will be poultry, pigs, calves and sheep. 

Vegetables, plenty in store, 
The cows will nibble the hay in the field, 

When bams are full to the door. 

I w^ake from my dream in the forest. 

Listen for sounds that are still, 
And whisper dear Lord, though this is my wish, 

Help me to bow to Thy will. 

'Tis thus would I walk through the shadow, 

Waiting the call from above, 
Trusting my burdens to hearts that are mine. 

Given to me in His love. 

Tdo !5tlau6 

On \)Q-r marriage to ^m. (Bale 

My dear sweet niece, may God's own peace 

Be with you on life's voyage. 
You've chose your captain, he his mate. 

Now sail away with courage ; 
May your sea be bright and clear. 

Far from trouble may you steer. 

In married life as duty calls. 

We're apt to have some little squalls ; 
Yet I've heard that people say : 

^* Where there's a will there is a way." 
So cannot see why you should fail, 
Unless you have too many Gales. 



JF^lrst Cove 

A SONG , 

(in memory of r. m. g.) 

You were my first love, I keep you apart, 
Enshrined in an altar I've reared in my heart ; 

You were too blest ta share my, sad lot, 
You were too noble e'er to be forgot. 

CHORUS 
Memory is sweet, 

Thus do I greet, 
One whom I loved 

In the dear days gone by ; 
But they have past. 

They could not last. 
Think of them tenderly, , 

Buried they lie. 

You were my first love, there lie in my heart, 
Though parted forever, yet never to part ; 

'Mid incense of love, like Heaven's own dew, 
Though true to another, I'm still true to you. 

You were my first love, those sweet days are o'er, 
And your dear face, I shall never see more; 

Still in my dreaming I ever will be. 

Cheered by the memories that bring you to me. 



n 



^eglna 



Sweet little Regina with black eyes so bright, 

Like stars on the ocean reflecting the light ; 
Your cheeks are now rosy that once were so pale, 

Your limbs are more sturdy that once were so frail. 
We saw you were failing with hearts sad and sore, 

And we thank the dear Lord that youVe healthy once more. 

You were named for the Queen of Heaven so mild, 
Who guided the steps of the Infant God child. 

May the Lily of Israel, the Star of the Sea, 
Brighten the path that is laid out for thee; 

And each act of your life like a rosary chain 
Lead you from Earth back to Heaven again. 



^lancl)e 



Quiet with a queenly grace. 
Dainty as a bit of lace. 
Living in a Jersey Town, 
Wifehood, motherhood her crown. 
Sitting on the throne of home. 
May all blessings to her come, 
Need I tell you, everyone. 
This is our Blanche of Hammonton. 



jpresenting a (Toucl)* 

Now at this celebration 
Without much ostentation 
I would make the presentation 
Of a mutual friend of ours 

I know you highly prize her 
Though you'll scarcely recognize her 
But just stand off and size her 
In her pretty dress so new 

Sure you'll know her by this token 
'Tis the couch to which you've spoken 
When your heart was well nigh broken 
With its hopes and doubts and fears 

Oft on her lap you've pondered 
As the Summer hours you squandered 
While in your heart you wondered 
If your dreams would e'er come true 

Now place her in the corner 
'Till the days again grow warmer 
Where there's nothing that can harm her 
Ah! This dear old couch so true 

May love around her hover 
As the green upon her cover 
And may you still be lovers 
When your hair is white as snow 



^EXPLANATION.— A young man deeply in 
love has a rival whom he greatly fears. He 
confides all his troubles to an old lady friend 
and spends many hours at her house, lying on 
an old couch on the porch. He eventually 
marries the girl, and the old lady decides to 
have the couch done up in green, as he is Irish, 
and present it at the \\-edding. These lines 
were written at her request for something to 
speak a the presentation. 



IDollr 



(to miss FLORENCE VIVIAN MCKEAN) 



Dear baby Dolly, so sturdy and fair, 
Sent us from Heaven to lighten our care ; 
She cheers Mama's hours when Papa's away 
And '' cuddles" her Daddy at close of the day. 
Florence Vivian, her name, to use when she'll write, 
We'll just call her Dolly, she's such a cute sight; 

We know that the years will soon pass away 

And Dolly will be a young lady some day ; 

We pray Thee, O Lord, as the years come apace 

To teach her Thy love, to give her Thy grace ; 

That when at last life's journey is run, 

She may hear the sweet words of the Master: ''well done.' 



Viola 

Viola, just an April flower. 

Sent down in an April shower; 

Impulsive as the month she came, 
Sometimes angry, just the same. 

Sensitive, yet hides each tear, 
With a wave of laughter, clear; 

Giving love and craving love, 
Trusting in her God, above. 

You wonder how I know, so true, 
The secret I will tell to you : 

Her natal day God did assign, 
To be the very same as mine. 



Ol)e JOdav 016 ^pple Oree 

A SONG 

A happy hearted boy reclined 

Beneath an apple tree^ 
Tired from school and romping, 

There he loved to be ; 
Aswinging 'neath the branches 

Among the blossoms fair, 
And as he sings his voice it rings 

Upon the evening air. 

CHORUS 
Give me the apple blossom 

Ere their bloom begins to fall, 
Give me the apple blossom 

TheyVe the sweetest of them all. 
Of all the flowers that I know 

The dearest ones to me, 
Are the dainty, fragrant blossoms 

Of the dear old apple tree. 

A soldier wan and wounded. 

In a foreign land he lay. 
Far from home he'd wandered 

Since that early happy day; 
And lying there so still and white 

Upon that bed of pain, 
His heart is singing '* Home Sweet Home" 

As he hums the old refrain : 



yiX'2 016 Virginia 3fome 

A SONG 

'Mid the Hurry and the strife 

Of a busy New York life, 
Vm thinking of my old Virginia home, 

And its porch with pillars white 
Gleaming in the fair moonlight, 

Brings memories ere I began to roam. 

CHORUS 
On the old Virginia shore, 

I am wandering once more. 
As in the days ere I knew care or pain ; 

And my thoughts are far away. 
While in memory I stray. 

Way down in old Virginia once again. 

Resting in the old armchair. 

In the blossom^scented air, 
I used to thumb my banjo, soft and low. 

And sing my songs so bright. 
For my heart was ever light. 

To me the world had never held a woe. 

Oh, the world is wide and fair, 

And there's beauty everywhere 
To charm the heart of those who care to roam. 

But with all its wealth and light, 
I would give it all tonight. 

To be down in my old Virginia home. 



(written to a friend) 

When voices so beloved by you, 
Tune to deceive that once rang true ; 
When hearts that under yours have lain, 
Seem born to bring you naught but pain. 
Don^t sit alone with eyes that weep, 
And burning heart where sorrows steep. 

But in your mind just look it o^er. 
And think how many suffer more ; 
Think that the world may lure a while. 
But in its midst comes mother^s smile. 
And like the roads that lead to Rome, 
The strings of all hearts lead back home. 

Without the cross there is no crown. 
And God above is looking down. 
Then trust Him when the shadows creep. 
And childlike bless yourself and sleep. 
The night will pass, then comes the morn. 
It's always darkest ere the dawn. 



A LITTLE NONSENSE 

The Peninsula of Florida 

And that of Michigan, 
Are represented by myself 

And my dear brother Sam. 

He dodges '^skeeters'^ on one end, 

While I dodge at the other, 
Thus we^re keeping company 

With our little Jersey Mother. 

While we are busy making hay 
And dodging Summer showers, 

He^s dodging rattlesnakes and bees, 
Down in ** the land of flowers.'' 

So thus it is a Dodge Club, 

I think you will agree ; 
The North, the South, the East or West, 

Wherever you may be. 




Uf^^n to St* 3o5ef ^ 

Blessed St Joseph, our patron, 

We ask thy protection so sweet, 
Guard us and guide us we pray thee, 
'Till we kneel at the Saviour's feet. 
Teach us that heaven's our haven. 
Teach us this world is but dross. 
And let the darkness about us. 

Be but the shade of the cross. 
(Repeat last two lines) 

Forging the chain of a lifetime, 

Of a future that we cannot see. 
Taking thy life as our model. 

Each link draws us nearer to thee. 
Learning thy sweetness of spirit. 

Working on earth each our part. 
Nearer to Christ and His angels. 

Nearer to thy gentle heart. 



1 



one 



A stork stood watch o'er an angel child. 
And it looked up at the stork and smiled. 
And he said: *'I really know not where 
To leave this little one so fair." 
It spoke: ^'Mr. Stork, if you only would. 
Please take me where they'll treat me good." 
So he brought it to the home of the Gray's 
And turned him about to go his ways — 

'^What name shall I give?" cried the little mite. 

**Ione," he called as he took his flight. 



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